(New York Times) Dennis B. Ross - The U.S. response to the chemical weapons attack by the Syrian air force was clearly about sending messages to President Assad and his allies, as well as the international community: Chemical weapons will not be used with impunity. This American strike will also convey to the Iranians, and to the North Koreans, that they had better take the words of this administration seriously. America's regional allies, who had become convinced that the U.S. was withdrawing from the region, will also take the administration's words much more seriously. Should Assad choose to test the U.S. by carrying out another chemical weapons attack, he runs the risk of losing more of his air force and the major advantage it gives him over the rebels. The writer is counselor at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and served in senior positions in four U.S. administrations.
2017-04-10 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive